Nature's Way

Wendy Hart's favourite flower is the tuberose. Picture / Babiche Martens

For her new store, called Moss, florist Wendy Hart doesn't just send flowers, she'll happily put them in a vase as well. Hart is also known for her elegant Parnell store Flowers After Hours.

What do you love about your job?

The constantly changing blooms. Watching the flower trends follow fashion and design, and with that the evolution of a floral culture.

Any downside?

Early 5am starts in the winter. The cold concrete flower-auction room is not my favourite place to spend a wet morning. It is so cold the chillers are often the warmest place to hang out. But there is a certain vibe that keeps me going back.

What is the attraction of flowers?

That they are a decadent luxury item, and the amazing varieties now available. Watching an amaryllis lily unfold is a wonder in itself.

Is it mainly women who are into flowers?

Not at all. Some of our most discerning clients are men. Often they even know what they want by its botanical name. Women still tend to be the main ones buying flowers for the home, but even that is changing now.

What is your favourite flower?

The tuberose. It's a classic beauty with a heady perfume and reminds me of hot summer days and my nana's garden.

What's hot in flowers right now?

Vanda orchids. They're so versatile and have such an amazing array of colours and patterns that they look artificial. Their lifespan makes them the perfect single-stem gift.

Do you prefer small bunches or those large architectural jobs?

Small and perfect any day. Flowers that are simply adorned - like a tiny posy of violets or double daffodils - provide effortless beauty. Sometimes people try too hard to be clever.

What should never be put together in a bouquet?

Blue and yellow. So 80s, so nasty, so not done.

What is the most overrated flower?

Gerberas. They dominate anything they are put with. And with so much choice out there, why go for something so common?

What's the easiest way for people to make a statement indoors using flowers?

Keep it simple. A beautiful vase of all-white stocks or an antique jug of fat tulips look amazing at home. Anything en masse really. It's easy to do yourself and do well.

What is your preferred vase or vessel?

Eclectic glassware used together, all sizes, shapes, and textures. Glass shows off blooms to their best and adds subtle glamour to the dining table or home.

What would you be doing if you weren't a florist?

This path was set for me from the very beginning, so I guess there is nothing else. I'm doing what I love, always have, always will.

* Moss is at 2-10 Nuffield St, Newmarket, ph (09) 523 3310